Living in the “What Might Be”

Abstract

In a short period of time in the late 1950s and early 1960s two American presidents set forth challenges for our country to commit itself to space exploration, first with launching a satellite into orbit and then by putting American astronauts on the Moon and returning them safely to Earth. This leadership of Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy sent a clear message to all Americans, particularly young people, about the importance of committing their lives to becoming space explorers. It was a clarion call to thousands to begin their personal journeys of exploration by dedicating themselves to the study of science, mathematics, and engineering. This is the story of one of these young people who, in the face of early failure, responded to the nation's call and found his self‐esteem and ultimately his entire career living in the “what might be” of the explorer's life.